Chapter 11

           WemustnowgobacktotheMarconiroomontheupperdeckwhere,tenminutesafterthecollision,CaptainSmithhadlefttheoperatorswithorderstosendoutacallforassistance.FromthisMarconiroomwegetastrangebutvividaspectofthesituation;forBride,thesurvivingoperator,whoafterwardstoldthestorysographicallytotheNewYorkTimes,practicallyneverlefttheroomuntilheleftittojumpintothesea,andhisknowledgeofwhatwasgoingonwasthevivid,partialknowledgeofamanwhowascloselyoccupiedwithhisowndutiesandonlyknewofotherhappeningsinsofarastheyaffectedhisowndoings.Theyhadbeenworking,youwillremember,almostallofthatSundayatlocatingandreplacingaburnt-outterminal,andwerebothverytired.Phillipswastakingthenightshiftofduty,buthetoldBridetogotobedearlyandgetupandrelievehimassoonashehadhadalittlesleep,asPhillipshimselfwasquitewornoutwithhisday’swork.Bridewenttosleepinthecabinwhichopenedintotheoperating-room.

           Hesleptsometime,andwhenhewokeheheardPhillipsstillatwork.HecouldreadtherhythmicbuzzingsoundsaseasilyasyouorIcanreadprint.HecouldhearthatPhillipswastalkingtoCapeRace,sendingdulluninterestingtrafficmatter;andhewasabouttosinkofftosleepagainwhenherememberedhowtiredPhillipsmustbe,anddecidedthathewouldgetupandrelievehimforaspell.Heneverfelttheshock,orsawanything,orhadanyothernotificationofanythingunusualexceptnodoubttheringingofthetelegraphbellsandcessationofthebeatoftheengines.